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Automotive industry

Automotive industry
News about the global automotive industry with a focus on developments that matter most for the China market.
US car dealer Yosuke Fukuda drives a 1954 Buick Roadmaster in Fukaya, Japan’s Saitama prefecture. Photo: AFP
Japan

Toyota ‘doesn’t break down’: why there’s hardly any love for US cars in Japan

Many Japanese admire vintage US cars, but when it comes to new vehicles, they hold more trust in domestic brands.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV industry pits battery swapping technology against ultra-fast charging

Mergers & Acquisitions

Japan’s carmakers under pressure to merge as Chinese rivals rise, tariffs bite

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United States

Trump eases car tariffs burden as Lutnick touts first foreign trade deal

The US Commerce secretary declined to name the country with whom an agreement had been reached, saying it was pending local approval.

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A hoist is shown at an empty Paslin facility on April 23, 2025, in Shelby Township, Michigan. Photo: AP
Artificial intelligence

Pony.ai partners with Tencent to provide robotaxi services on WeChat

With access to more than a billion users on Tencent’s platforms, Pony.ai is set to significantly boost its revenue potential.

Italy

Pirelli sidelines China’s Sinochem over control of the Italian tyremaker

The governance status of the Chinese conglomerate has been downgraded following a request from Italian regulators.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s Semi trucks to roll out from Nevada gigafactory by end of 2025

Company will prepare for high volume production of the electric trucks over the next few quarters, head of the Semi programme Dan Priestly says.

Tesla’s Semi electric truck is unveiled during a presentation in Hawthorn, California, on November 16, 2017. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

My Take | China’s ambitions in electric vehicles go beyond making lots of cars

To become a powerful car nation, China must lead in smart automotive technologies, China’s former industry minister argues.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet F1 driver Alex Albon, who’s helping Williams recapture its magic

Albon raced in F1 with Toro Rosso and Red Bull in 2019 and 2020, then joined Williams after a year on the sidelines – his glamorous girlfriend Lily Muni He is often seen trackside and on his socials.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Exclusive | Spanish car-part supplier Gestamp eyes added China capacity as peers back off

‘We could be a very active player,’ executive chairman says at Shanghai Auto Show.

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Chassis and car body products displayed by Gestamp at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Pure EVs regain market share in China on lithium cost, battery technology

Lithium prices are just one-ninth of the peak in 2022, allowing EV makers to win over new buyers in mainland China.

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Visitors look at Contemporary Amperex’s fast-charging battery at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday. Photo: AP
IPO

Xpeng-backed maker of EV dump trucks plans US$30 million Hong Kong IPO

The Shanghai-based company is selling 13 million shares at HK$18 each, with trading to start on May 7.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Digital cockpit is the key to the Russian EV buyer’s wallet, vendors say

With large screens and high-quality audio systems, Chinese cars are ready to run infotainment software Russian drivers favour, vendor says.

South Korea

South Korea and US aim for deal to lift Trump tariffs by July, Seoul says

US Treasury chief Scott Bessent says talks are ‘moving faster than I thought’, and technical terms could be discussed as early as next week.

Cars for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Thursday. The country’s vehicle industry is facing the greatest impact from new US tariffs. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers put brakes on self-driving hype at Shanghai show

‘Safety’ is the big buzzword as firms adjust tone amid Beijing’s closer scrutiny after a fatal crash involving a driver-assistance system.

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Visitors walk in front of the Geely booth during the Shanghai auto show on April 23, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Electric & new energy vehicles

Intel, Chinese partners ModelBest and Black Sesame push smart car systems

The collaborations reflect demand in China, the world’s largest electric vehicle market, for more computing power in sophisticated cockpits.

Donald Trump

Trump administration weighs tariff relief for US car industry

Several proposals are being considered, which indicate that the administration is considering ways to narrow the scope of levies affecting the car industry.

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Donald Trump

Days to Canada election, Trump says country would cease to exist if not for US

The US president’s threats to its neighbour’s economy and sovereignty are on voters’ minds going into the polls.

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US President Donald Trump gestures while wearing a hat that reads “Gulf of America” as he departs the White House in Washington on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Hesai to quadruple lidar output to extend lead in laser range finders

The company plans to boost production to 2 million units this year from about 502,000 units in 2024, founder and CEO David Li Yifan says.

Electric & new energy vehicles

No-shows at Shanghai car expo reflect brutal mainland competition

Hyundai, Hozon, Jaguar Land Rover, Polestar and nearly a dozen other marques miss the world’s largest auto event.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Geely’s Zeekr debuts luxury SUV as Chinese auto giant takes on Mercedes, BMW

Regarding global expansion plans, tariffs will be the ‘number one factor’ to be considered when entering a new market, Zeekr says.

Zeekr’s first hybrid model, the SUV 9X, was launched at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Japan’s Nissan looks to export China-made electric cars in global expansion push

Nissan displayed two new vehicles at the Shanghai Auto Show on Wednesday as part of an effort to launch 10 new-energy vehicles by mid-2027.

Nissan Motor unveils its new Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid pickup truck at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23. Photo: Kyodo
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers take spotlight as Tesla skips Shanghai Auto Show

Firms including BYD, Nio, Geely, Xiaomi and Leapmotor will showcase new and existing models at the two-week event starting on Wednesday.

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Donald Trump

Elon Musk to cut back work with Trump and Doge after Tesla sales skid

The billionaire CEO’s political actions as a close adviser to the US president have damaged the brand and caused blowback.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Nio to join fray in right-hand-drive car markets

Company’s Firefly minicar, priced around US$16,400, will be competitive in global markets despite tariffs, president says.

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William Li, CEO of Chinese EV maker Nio, poses next to the company’s ET9, in Shanghai on April 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

EV makers urged to boost safety in self-driving systems after Xiaomi SU7 crash

Caution came as China’s level 2 driving automation system ‘has entered a critical period of large-scale application’.

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A person using a driverless autonomous robotaxi as part of Baidu’s Apollo Go self-driving project in Wuhan in August 2024. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

EVs | China to crack down on EV self-driving technology, ‘autonomous driving’ claims

Beijing warns EV makers and technology providers to adhere to development rules and take care not to overstate capabilities.

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BYD

BYD prices new SUV at aggressive US$18,300 to attract young consumers

BYD slashed the price of the Titanium 3, which includes its new advanced driver assistance system, at the last minute, capitalising on Tesla’s China challenges.

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